Knock down desk or bench

ABSTRACT

A light weight knock down desk or bench in which the various components of the desk or bench are assembled together without the use of tools or fasteners. The various components are flat panels or panel like members, some of which include integrally formed hooks or tabs extending from their edges and some include slots for receiving such hooks or tabs to interlock said components. Preferably the components include end panels, a vertical cross member having integral hook members extending from each end, a horizontal cross member having integral tabs extending from each end and a top work surface panel having tabs extending from each end. The integral extending hooks and tabs engage appropriately located slots in the end panels.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No.63/168,222 filed Mar. 30, 2021.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to the field or knock down desks orbenches. Knock down products are shipped as separate components whichare then assembled by the consumer. They are assembled using simpletools and fasteners such as screws, bolts, or variations thereof.

Publication No. U.S. Pat. No. 10,334,943 B2 titled “Table withretractable power cables,” discusses a table for concealing one or morepower adapters, in this reference, a table comprising a frame, a tab andslot joinery inter-engage with different components, a stretcher panelanalogous to the vertical support, tabletop (work surface) flip-over oneither side.

Publication No. U.S. Pat. No. 10,278,490 B1 titled “Portable tableassembly,” discusses a portable table assembly for indoor and outdooruse. In this reference, a portable table assembly comprising tabletop,elongated horizontal rails, and pair of end panels interlocks withinter-engaging slots.

Publication No. U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,450 A titled “Tote-table,” discussesa combined table and bench assembly. In this reference, table and benchassembly comprising tabletop, center support (horizontal cross support),and interlocking notch with various components engaging are discussed.

Publication No. U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,995 A titled “Rapidly assembled anddisassembled portable table, work bench, or the like,” discusses aportable table with rapidly assembled and disassembled. In thisreference, portable table comprising tabletop, horizontal cross support,and components with inter-engaging slot assembly are discussed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a light weight knock down desk or bench inwhich the various components of the desk or bench are assembled togetherwithout the use of tools or fasteners. The various components are flatpanels or panel like members, some of which include integrally formedhooks or tabs extending from their edges and some include slots forreceiving such hooks or tabs to interlock said components. Preferablythe components include end panels, a vertical cross member havingintegral hook members extending from each end, a horizontal cross memberhaving integral tabs extending from each end and a top work surfacepanel having tabs extending from each end. The integral extending hooksand tabs engage appropriately located slots in the end panels.

In one preferred embodiment, the end panels have upwardly openingnotches in their top edges for receiving tabs extending from the ends ofthe work surface panel. In this way, the work surface panel can beeasily removed, reversed, and replaced so that different typed of worksurfaces can be presented to the user.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention willbe more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the Descriptionof the Preferred Embodiments, appended drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vertical, cross member 20 beingassembled to an end panel 10;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a horizontal cross member 30 beingadded to the assembly of FIG. 1:

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a top work surface member 40 beingadded to the assembly of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second end panel 10 being addedto the assembly of FIG. 3 to complete a desk 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of assembled desk 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment desk 2 having“I” shaped end panels and a top 40 having an accessory groove therein;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a partially assembled desk having endpanels 10 b with upwardly opening notches in its upper edge;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a top work surface member beingassembled to the assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fully assembled alternativeembodiment desk 3; and

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a reversable top work surface panelhaving accessory groove in each their respective work surfaces.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the preferred embodiments, the panels or panel like components of thedesk or bench are made from sheets of a wood instead of a compositematerial. All of the components are thus flat panels or panel likemembers. Composites are heavier than wood. Preferably the wood used isBaltic Birch Plywood. The term “panel like” component or member refersto the fact that a component is made from flat sheet material, though itmay have a configuration that would not normally be considered a“panel.”

Three, alternative embodiment desks 1-3 are disclosed, all having thesame basic components, but with variations in some of the components. By“mixing and matching” the varying components, further variations indesks 1, 2 or 3 can be obtained. The various components and features arenumbered in the drawings and description as indicated in the followingparts list:

PARTS LIST

-   End panels 10, 10 and 10 b    -   Slots 11 or notches 11 a for receiving top panel tabs 42    -   Slots 12 for receiving tabs 32 of horizontal cross supports 30    -   Vertical slots 13 for receiving projecting integral hooks 21 on        vertical cross piece-   Vertical cross support and panel connector 20    -   Projecting hooks 21    -   Projecting tab 22-   Horizontal cross support panel 30 for stability    -   hand hold opening 31    -   end tabs 32    -   tab receiving slot 33-   Top panel or work surface member 40, 40 a, 40 b, or 40 c    -   Accessory groove 41 for holding pencils, computer tablets or        reference materials    -   End tabs 42-   Locking pegs 50

Desk 1 is made of two rectangular end panels 10, a vertical crosssupport 20, horizontal cross support panel 30 and top panel or “worksurface member” 40 (FIGS. 1-5). Each end panel 10 includes two slots 11near the top edge thereof for receiving the two top panel tabs 42integral with and projecting from the end of and in the plane of toppanel/work surface member 40 (FIG. 3). Two smaller slots 12 are locatedin end panel 10 somewhat below slots 11. These are for receivingintegral tabs 32 of horizontal cross support panel 30. Finally, eachpanel 10 includes centrally located vertical slots 13, one located abovethe other, for receiving projecting integral hooks 21 on vertical crosspiece member 20.

A flat panel like vertical cross connector 20 includes a pair of hooks21 integral with and in the plane of said connector 20, at each endthereof (FIG. 1). Hooks 21 hook into slots 13 of each end panel andserve to lock the spaced end panels 10 together. Cross support/connectormember also provides support for horizontal cross panel 30 and includesa top tab 22 which engages slot 33 in horizontal support panel 30.

Horizontal cross support panel 30 includes two tabs 32 projecting fromeach end thereof (FIG. 2). Tabs 32 are integral with and in the plane ofhorizontal support panel 30. These tabs fit into slots 12 on spaced endpanels 10. Horizontal cross support panel also includes a centrallylocated slot 33 into which top tab 22 of vertical cross support isinserted when horizontal panel 30 is in place. Panel 30 also includes ahand hold opening 31, located between slot 33 and the front or back edgeof panel 30.

Horizontal cross support panel 30 is multifunctional. It provides: (1)strength and stability to the unit, (2) it connects and locks the spacedend panels 10 together, it provides a storage shelf underneath the topwork surface 40, and (4) a hand hold whereby the assembled desk or bench1 can be lifted and moved.

Top panel 40 provides the work surface for desk or bench 1 (FIGS. 3, 4).It includes two tabs 42 projecting from each end, which are integralwith and in the plane of top panel 40. In assembly, tabs 42 project intoslots 11 near the top edge of each of the end panels 10. Preferably, toppanel 40 is provided with a decorative upper work surface, or a chalkboard surface, or a dry erase writing surface.

While a customer might find various ways to assemble the components ofdesk or bench 1, FIGS. 1-4 provide a convenient order as numbered. Crosssupport 20 is hooked into vertical slots 13 of a first end panel 10(FIG. 1). Horizontal cross support panel 30 is assembled next by havingits projecting end tabs 32 slid into slots 12 in end panel 10, and thenits slot 33 lowered down over tab 22 of vertical support 20 (FIG. 2).The projecting end tabs 42 of top panel 40 are slid into slots 11 of anend panel 10 (FIG. 3). Finally, the various hooks and tabs at the otherend of the assembly are inserted into a second panel 10 (FIG. 4),resulting in the assembled desk 1 (FIG. 5). Locking peg 50 is shown inFIG. 5 inserted into slot 13 from the outside of panel 10, after book 21is in position in slot 13. This locks vertical cross support member inplace.

FIG. 6-h 8 discloses an alternative desk 2 and alternative desk 3 having“I” shaped end panels 10 a. Since end panels 10 a are narrower front toback than end panels 10, the tabs 42 on top panel 40 a are spaced closertogether. As a result, top panel 40 a projects outwardly a bit frombetween end panels 10 a. Desk 2 also differs from desk 1 in that anaccessory groove 41 is provided in the work surface of top panel 40 a.Preferably, groove 41 is sufficiently deep that it can accommodatepencils and the like, but also such that it can receive a computertablet and hold it upright in groove 41.

FIGS. 7 and 8 disclose a desk 3 variation from either desk 1 or 2, whichaccommodates the use of a reversable top panel 40 b. Specifically, endpanels 10 b include upwardly opening notches 11 a at the top edge of thepanel, in place of slots 11. This facilitates the use of a top panel 40b having two different work surfaces located on the opposite surfaces ofpanel 40 a. The open notches 11 a allow tabs 42 on top panel 40 b to besimply lowered into or lifted out of notches 11 a when the user wants touse either of the alternative work surfaces. (As shown, the end panels10 b are of the “I” shaped type but could also be either the rectangulartype panel 10 or the “X” shaped type panel 10 c shown in FIG. 1.)

Preferably top 40 b is optionally provided with a chalk board surface onone side and a dry erase writing surface on the other. Both sidesinclude the accessory groove 41, but, they are offset from one anotherin order to accommodate the required depth for the grooves 41 to supporta tablet computer in an upright position (FIG. 10).

Alternative desk 4 is like desks 1 and 2, except that it includes “X”shaped end panels 10 c, and its top panel 40 c is provided with a handhold opening 42 adjacent one of the lateral edges of top panel 40 c. Thevariations in component features can be varied in other ways to createother variations in the overall design of the knock-down desk or workbench.

1. A light weight knock down desk or bench in which the variouscomponents of the desk or bench are assembled together without the useof tools or fasteners, said desk or bench consisting essentially of:flat panels or panel like members, at least some of which includeintegrally formed hooks or tabs extending from their edges; at leastsome of which include slots for receiving said hooks or tabs tointerlock said components for assembling said desk or bench.
 2. The deskor bench of claim 1 in which said components include: end panels; avertical cross member having integral hook members extending from eachend; a horizontal cross member having integral tabs extending from eachend; a top work surface panel having integral tabs extending from eachend; said end panels including appropriately located openings forreceiving said integral extending hooks and said integral extendingtabs.
 3. The desk or bench of claim 2 in which: said end panels have topedges and upwardly opening notches in said top edges for receiving saidintegral tabs extending from said ends of said work surface panel,whereby said work surface panel can be easily which allow saidintegrally formed tabs on said top work surface panel to be simplylowered into or lifted out of said notches.
 4. The desk or bench ofclaim 3 in which said top work surface panel is a reversable top panelhaving two different work surfaces located on the opposite surfaces ofsaid panel, whereby said top work surface panel can be simply loweredinto or lifted out of said notches and reversed, and replaced in saidnotches so that different types of work surfaces can be presented to theuser depending on which work surface side is facing upwardly.
 5. Thedesk or bench of claim 3 in which both said work surface sides of saidtop work surface panel include an accessory groove; said accessorygrooves being offset from one another in order to accommodate therequired depth for the grooves to support a tablet computer in anupright position.
 6. The desk or bench of claim 5 in which said worksurface panel has a chalk board work surface on one side and a dry erasewriting work surface on the other.
 7. The desk or bench of claim 3 inwhich: said top work surface panel includes lateral edges and includes ahand hold opening adjacent one of said lateral edges of top panel tofacilitate lifting said top work surface panel out of said out of saidupwardly opening notches in said end panels.
 8. A light weight knockdown desk or bench in which the various components of the desk or benchare assembled together without the use of tools or fasteners, said deskor bench consisting essentially of: two end panels, a vertical crosssupport including integral hooks projecting from the ends thereof, ahorizontal cross support panel and top work surface panel; said top worksurface panel including two ends, with two integral tabs projecting fromsaid ends in the plane thereof; each said end panel includes top edgesand includes two slots near said top edge thereof for receiving said twotop work surface panel tabs; said horizontal cross support panelincluding two ends, each including at least one integral tab projectingthere from and in the plane thereof; each said end panel including atleast one slot located somewhat below said top edges such that saidhorizontal cross support in an assembled desk or bench is located spacedfrom and below said top work surface panel; each said end panelincluding centrally located vertical slots, one located above the other,for receiving said projecting integral hooks on said vertical support.9. The desk or bench of claim 9 in which said end panels are “X” shaped.10. A light weight knock down desk or bench in which the variouscomponents of the desk or bench are assembled together without the useof tools or fasteners, said desk or bench consisting essentially of: “I”shaped end panels; a horizontal cross support panel and top work surfacepanel positioned above said cross horizontal support panel; saidhorizontal cross member having integral tabs extending from each end;said top work surface panel having integral tabs extending from eachend; said “I” shaped end panels including appropriately located openingsfor receiving said integral extending tabs from said cross horizontalsupport panel and said top work surface panel; said “I” shaped endpanels being vertically narrower front to back than said top worksurface panel whereby said top work surface panel projects outwardly atleast beyond said front or back of said “I” shaped end panels.
 11. Thedesk or bench of claim 10 in which said appropriately located openingsin said “I” shaped end panels for receiving said integrally formed tabson the ends of said top work surface are upwardly opening notches at thetop edge of said “I” shaped end panels which allow said integrallyformed tabs on said top work surface panel to be simply lowered into orlifted out of said notches.
 12. The desk or bench of claim 11 in whichsaid top work surface panel is a reversable top panel having twodifferent work surfaces located on the opposite surfaces of said panel,whereby said top work surface panel can be simply lowered into or liftedout of said notches and inverted when the user wants to use either ofthe alternative work surfaces.
 13. The desk or bench of claim 12 inwhich said top work surface panel is provided with a chalk board surfaceon one, side and a dry erase writing surface on the other.
 14. The deskor bench of claim 12 in which both of said work surfaces on said topwork surface panel sides include an accessory groove, but they areoffset from one another in order to accommodate the required depth eachof said accessory groove to support a tablet computer in an uprightposition.
 15. A light weight knock down desk or bench in which thevarious components of the desk or bench are assembled together withoutthe use of tools or fasteners, said desk or bench consisting essentiallyof: two end panels; a top work surface panel; said top work surfacepanel including two ends, with two integral tabs projecting from saidends in the plane thereof; said end panels including top edges andupwardly opening notches at said top edges which allow said integrallyformed tabs on said top work surface panel to be simply lowered into orlifted out of said notches.
 16. The desk or bench of claim 15 in whichsaid top work surface panel is a reversable top panel having twodifferent work surfaces located on the opposite surfaces of said panel,whereby said top work surface panel can be simply lowered into or liftedout of said notches and inverted and replaced in said notches when theuser wants to use either of the alternative work surfaces.
 17. The deskor bench of claim 16 in which said top work surface panel is providedwith a chalk board surface on one side and a dry erase writing surfaceon the other.
 18. The desk or bench of claim 16 in which both of saidwork surfaces on said top work surface panel sides include an accessorygroove, but they are offset from one another in order to accommodate therequired depth each of said accessory groove to support a tabletcomputer in an upright position.
 19. The desk or bench of claim 6 inwhich: said top work surface panel includes lateral edges and includes ahand hold opening adjacent one of said lateral edges of top panel tofacilitate lifting said top work surface panel out of said out of saidupwardly opening notches in said end panels.
 20. The desk or bench ofclaim 16 in which said components also include: a vertical cross memberhaving integral hook members extending from each end; a horizontal crossmember having integral tabs extending from each end; said end panelsincluding appropriately located openings for receiving said integralextending hooks of said vertical cross member and said integralextending tabs of said horizontal cross member.
 21. The desk or bench ofclaim 20 which also include locking pegs for locking said integral hooksin place when they have been hooked into their said openings in said endpanels, said locking pegs being inserted into said openings after saidintegral hooks are in place, thereby preventing said integral hooks frombeing removed from said openings unless said locking pegs are removedfirst.